Picking a favorite casual sushi spot in Studio City is like picking a favorite canyon to cut through during rush hour—everyone has one, and everyone thinks theirs is the best. For us, we’ll always keep Iroha close. Hiding behind a folk art boutique on Ventura Blvd., Iroha is a Valley classic with a large indoor/outdoor space that feels like you’re eating sushi in a bamboo forest. The menu is too big for its own good—we’ve yet to flip through every page—but you really only need to concentrate on a few things: the spicy tuna on crispy rice, spicy miso soup, and any of their bento lunch boxes (soup, salad, rice, three pieces of sushi, and choice of sashimi or tempura for $24).

photo credit: Matt Gendal

photo credit: Matt Gendal

photo credit: Matt Gendal